Legal File
2024 Update on Super Bowl Advertising and Promotions
Given the value of the Super Bowl franchise, it is not surprising that the NFL is extremely aggressive in protecting its golden goose from anything it views as unauthorized efforts to trade off the goodwill associated with the mark or the game. Accordingly, with the coin toss almost upon us, advertisers should take special care before publishing or engaging in advertising or other promotional activities that refer to the Super Bowl.
Read MoreFCC Imposes $26,000 Fine on Broadcaster for One EEO Annual Public File Report that was Uploaded Late
The full Commission this week issued an Order fining Cumulus Media $26,000 for its failure to upload one EEO Annual Public File Report to its online public inspection file until about 9 months after the due date.
Read MoreCopyright Royalty Board Starts WEB VI Proceeding to Set Webcasting Royalties Paid to SoundExchange for 2026-2030: Petitions to Participate Due February 6
The Copyright Royalty Board on Friday published in the Federal Register a call for interested parties to file Petitions to Participate in the proceeding to set the royalty rates to be paid by webcasters (including broadcasters who simulcast their programming through internet-delivered channels) in the period 2026-2030.
Read MoreBroadcast Regulation Does Not Take a Vacation: FCC Resolves 2018 Quadrennial Review with No Significant Changes in Ownership Rules; Proposes a Reporting System for Retransmission Blackouts; and Advances New EEO Reporting Rules
Well, there has been news, including the resolution of the FCC’s long-delayed 2018 Quadrennial Review of the broadcast ownership rules.
Read MoreThe 2024 Broadcasters’ Calendar – Regulatory Dates for the Coming Year, with Special Attention to Lowest Unit Charge Political Windows
2024 is almost upon us. At this time of year, everyone seems to be making a list of the best (or worst) events of 2023, or predictions for what the new year will bring. After the first of the year, we will dust off our crystal ball and look at some of the legal and policy issues that may be addressed in the new year. Today we will look at the dates that are already set for 2024.
Read MoreMichigan Becomes the Fifth State to Require Disclosure of the Use of AI in Political Ads
Michigan’s Governor Whitmer just signed a bill that adds Michigan to 4 other states (Texas, California, Washington, and Minnesota) that have enacted laws requiring the clear identification of the use of AI in political ads.
Read MoreDecember Regulatory Dates for Broadcasters – Biennial Ownership Reports, Annual EEO Public File Reports, LPFM Filing Window, LUC Political Windows for 2024 Election, and More
Even with the holidays upon us, regulation never stops. There are numerous regulatory dates in December to which broadcasters need to keep in mind. Furthermore, as the 2024 presidential campaign is already underway, there are political advertising deadlines to watch out for.
Read MoreArtificial Intelligence in Political Ads – Media Companies Beware
In the Washington Post last weekend, an op-ed article suggested that political candidates should voluntarily renounce the use of artificial intelligence in their campaigns. The article seemed to be looking for candidates to take the actions that governments have largely thus far declined to mandate.
Read More7 Michigan Stations Affected: FCC Announces Second EEO Audit of 2023 – 150 Radio and TV Stations Must Report on Their EEO Compliance
The FCC this week released its second EEO audit notice for 2023. The FCC’s Public Notice, audit letter, and the list of stations selected for audit is available here.
Read MoreBroadcaster’s Legal Considerations for Early Season Political Ads
With the 2024 election looming, broadcasters are already receiving requests for political advertising time, from PACs and other issue groups, and from both established candidates and newcomers eager to make an early splash to enhance their public standing. Some of these potential buyers advance unique policy positions and, sometimes, unusual ad buying strategies. How are broadcasters to deal with these early political ad buyers?
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